Brunel Writers Talking: Benjamin Wood

Brunel University of London is a very proud partner of the Nero Book Awards and the Nero New Writers Prize for unpublished writers.

As part of our support of the Nero Book Awards we have the great pleasure of inviting the four Nero Book Awards Category Winners to join us for our Writers Talking series. These events offer an opportunity to hear from the authors about the inspiration behind their award-winning books, and for all aspiring writers to learn about their approach to writing craft.

On November, 9th, Benjamin Wood, Winner of the Nero Book Awards Fiction Category will be interviewed by Dr. Sharanya Murali. Benjamin Wood was born in 1981 and grew up in Merseyside. Seascraper is his fifth novel and, in addition to winning the Fiction Category at the 2025 Nero Book Awards, it was longlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize. His previous works have been shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award, the Commonwealth Book Prize, the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award, the RSL Encore Award, the CWA Gold Dagger Award and the European Union Prize for Literature.

In 2014, he won France’s Prix du Roman Fnac. About Seascraper by Benjamin Wood: Thomas lives in Longferry, working his grandpa’s trade as a shanker. Rising early, he heads to the gloomy beach and scrapes for shrimp, though, at heart, he is a folk musician. When a striking visitor turns up, promising Hollywood glamour, Thomas is shaken from his drudgery. But how truthful is the American, and how far can his inspiration carry Thomas? Benjamin will be interviewed by Dr Sharanya Murali, a Senior Lecturer in Theatre and novelist with details of her debut novel to be announced soon. 

For ages 9+